Signal Source Localization via Sensor Response Time Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for locating a signal source, such as partial discharges in electrical devices, often require moving sensors or face challenges with sensors that have short response times or operate in harsh environments with obstacles, leading to difficulties in finding the source accurately.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts sensor response times by modifying them by a percentage less than a determined value, restarting the system of equations until the sum of variations is close to zero, allowing for the calculation of the signal source's location without moving sensors, even in cases where traditional methods fail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods are used to locate a signal source by measuring response times and solving a system of equations, then the position can be determined when a solution exists, but the method fails when the system of equations has no solution, requiring sensor relocation which is not always possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the response time parameters of sensors by applying small percentage variations (less than a determined value) to the measured response times. This parameter adjustment allows the system to find solutions when the original measured values do not yield a valid location, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining measurement precision and adapting to environments where conventional methods fail.
2Reliability
If sensors are moved to find a solution to the system of equations, then a location can be found in some cases, but sensor movement is not always possible particularly for ultra high frequency UHF sensors
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the sensors to find a solution, the patent inverts the approach by keeping sensors fixed and modifying their response time parameters through small percentage variations. This allows the system to achieve reliable source location without requiring sensor relocation, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If the system of equations is solved with exact measured response times, then mathematical precision is maintained, but no solution may exist due to measurement errors or environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies small percentage variations (partial adjustments) to the measured response times rather than making large corrections. This partial action approach maintains the integrity of the original measurements while introducing enough variation to ensure a solution exists, resolving the contradiction between maintaining measurement precision and ensuring solution reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a method and device for locating an event transmitting a signal, comprising a set of sensors (Ai-Am) to measure response times of said signal, and processing means (3) to solve a system of equations defining distances between said sensors and said event according to a propagation velocity of said signal and an offsetting of said response times in relation to a reference time, the device further comprising: - processing means (3) to reinitiate, a plurality of times, the resolution of the system of equations, each time modifying the response time of at least one of said sensors according to a local variation, and - processing means (3) to determine the location of the event according to the positions obtained from the various resolutions of the system of equations.